As the Police Department continues to review the needs of different neighborhoods, officials found the Grafton and Vernon streets area should have additional police presence.

The department will begin the development of an Experimental Policing District for the area today with a plan to incorporate several police strategies while seeking to increase community partnerships. There will be at least a six-month commitment to the program.

Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said the district allows for the department to tailor community policing efforts to the area. He believes the strategy also gives officers assigned to the location a sense of ownership, which allows for more detailed response to issues.

“We've been looking at this area for some time. We know it needs more than foot patrols,” said the chief. “What we did is we looked at every division and how they can make a contribution to community policing in this geographical area.”

Main South, another area deemed in need of police, received permanent foot patrols a few weeks ago, but the department saw the Grafton and Vernon streets area in need of a different approach.

Under the management of Deputy Police Chief Steven M. Sargent and supervisors Lt. Michael A. McKiernan and Sgt. Matthew D. D'Andrea, the area will begin to see that commitment, the chief said. A key element is an active and strong community commitment, Chief Gemme said. A unified command structure is also important, he said.

The district will be implemented within regular police duties. Some overtime money could be used if needed.

A route officer will be assigned to the area for service calls, and two foot patrols officers will walk the beat. A traffic officer will also be assigned to the area. The implementation of the experimental district will be in four phases, with the ultimate goal of making the designation permanent. No timetable has been set.

Neighborhood problems will be addressed by two officers from the Community Impact Division with a directive to engage business owners and residents. Those officers will also work with neighborhood groups, such as the watch programs.

The supervisors can direct members of the team to look at certain areas or issues such as distressed properties, an issue that could prompt a call to the city's Property Review Team.

If drug houses are identified, or gang and drug issues are obvious, the police team members can call in gang or vice officers for assistance. There will be a focus on street-level dealing that detracts from a community, Chief Gemme said. Continued crime analysis will also be used to identify issues and also review the impact of the EPD.

“In order for this concept to work and engage in real grassroots community policing, we need community involvement and a strong community commitment,” Chief Gemme said. “We know that we need to make a long-term commitment, and we're willing to do that. We need the community to become actively engaged.”

In his recent review of the city manager, District 3 City Councilor George Russell stated the Union Hill, lower Grafton Hill and lower Vernon Hill areas need foot patrols.

Based on crime statistics beginning in January, the area has seen assaults, many accidents, drug offenses, fights, calls for gunshots and break-ins. Supervisors will receive weekly reports on incidents in the area.

A July 17 neighborhood meeting will be scheduled. The location and time will be announced as the date approaches.

The department believes this community policing model fits the neighborhood. Police officials must be willing to adapt and create strategies based on different needs, Chief Gemme said.

“This area has been studied for some time. This is much different than any approach we have taken,” Chief Gemme said. “We had to look at the area and the city's needs and developed this strategy. We believe this concept will fit this neighborhood.”

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